Legendary St. Francis Missal On View at the Walters Art Museum for Jubilee Year

Dedicated exhibition commemorates 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death, explores his impact through additional devotional artworks, and showcases manuscript’s complex conservation

Baltimore, MD (September 1, 2026)—Divine Inspiration: The Legacy of the St. Francis Missal is now on view at the Walters Art Museum. The exhibition centers around a legendary 12th-century missal—a liturgical book containing the texts, prayers, chants, readings, and ceremonial directions required to celebrate the Mass—believed by Franciscans to be a relic of touch of St. Francis of Assisi. The exhibition presents visitors the rare opportunity to view this sacred object, which is rarely displayed due to its fragility, along with 18 additional objects that demonstrate St. Francis’ role as a figure in art history, including manuscripts, paintings, and works made of glass, ivory, and ceramic. Divine Inspiration commemorates the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death on October 3, 1226, and is on view through Sunday, February 7, 2027.

“St. Francis was one of the most frequently represented saints in Medieval and Renaissance art, and the Walters is fortunate to have a number of exceptional artworks that feature him and his early followers, among them St. Clare of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua,” said Lynley Anne Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts. “But there is no question that the St. Francis Missal is the star of this show, directly connecting an artifact from St. Francis’ life to his longer impact and influence. We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to be in the presence of this special work.”

According to early biographies written by those who knew him, in the year 1208 St. Francis and two of his followers were debating what God’s plan for them might be. Unable to decide, they sought answers at the church of San Nicolò in Assisi. St. Francis opened a book on the altar three times at random. In every case, the text on the page urged renouncing earthly goods. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for the Franciscan order. Over the past century, research by Franciscan scholars affirms the belief that this missal is the book consulted by St. Francis of Assisi and his companions. An inscription chronicling the book’s creation for the church of San Nicolò and that mentions the book’s patron, Gerard of Ugo, lends additional support to this history.

Like many such manuscripts the Missal requires careful management of light and display time, and is not able to be exhibited frequently. Centuries of use took a toll on the book’s delicate binding and, by 2015, it was too fragile to open or exhibit to the public. In 2016, the Walters conservation staff began a two-year restoration project. The Missal has since been repaired and stabilized, and has been digitized for the Walters’ manuscript website Ex Libris. This exhibition will include details of the Missal’s conservation, funded by the Mellon Foundation, that took place in the Walters Conservation Lab, the third oldest museum conservation lab in the country.

Alongside the Missal, visitors will be able to see several other important objects relating to St. Francis’ history, including an oil painting of St. Francis by El Greco who depicts the saint in the midst of experiencing a direct vision of Christ. Also on view is a rare 14th-century diptych containing relics of a range of Franciscan saints, including Francis and Clare, each with a portrait and an inscription identifying the relic. An early manuscript with a depiction of St. Francis preaching to animals with St. Clare is included in the exhibition. Those who look closely at this manuscript will see that the image of St. Francis’ face is damaged, likely a result of devotional touch or kissing when the book was originally in use in the 14th century.

“The St. Francis Missal is one of the most significant and most-requested works in the Walters Art Museum’s world renowned rare books and manuscripts collection. This exhibition reflects the museum’s ongoing commitment to ensure this extraordinary collection is accessible to our communities and conserved for future generations.” said Kate Burgin, Andrea B. and John H. Laporte Director and CEO.

Programs related to the exhibition include two curator-led tours for the public on St. Francis’ Feast Day, October 4, as well as two Partners-only programs: a virtual talk on December 16 and a curator-led tour on December 17. To learn more about the events and register, visit thewalters.org/events.

About the Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum is a cultural hub in the heart of Baltimore, located in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha. Since its founding, the Walters’ mission has been to bring art and people together to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. As part of this commitment, admission to the museum and special exhibitions is always free.

Visitor Information

Admission to the museum and Divine Inspiration: The Legacy of the St. Francis Missal is free. The Walters Art Museum is located at 600 N. Charles St., north of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. For general museum information, call 410-547-9000 or visit thewalters.org.

Free admission to the Walters Art Museum is made possible through the combined generosity of individual members and donors, foundations, corporations, and grants from the City of Baltimore, Maryland State Arts Council, Citizens of Baltimore County, and Howard County Government and Howard County Arts Council.